Lagos judiciary holds special court session for Uwechue today

The Lagos State Judiciary will today, hold a special court session in honour of the former chairman of the Body of Benchers, Chief George Uwechue (SAN, FNIALS).

The high-level judicial ceremony, which is reserved for jurists who have achieved the highest level of distinction in the legal profession, will take place at 2 p.m. at the Lagos State High Court, Oba Akinjobi Way, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.

A similar special court session will be held for the eminent jurist by the Delta State Judiciary on January 25, 2024. The court session will be held at 10 a.m. at the High Court of Justice, Asaba, Delta State.

Meanwhile, a Requiem Mass/Night of Tributes will be held on January 19, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. at the Sir Adetokunbo Ademola Hall of the Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos.

While the wake keep for the former Speaker Pro Tempore of Nigeria’s House of Representatives will be held at 5 p.m. on January 25, at the Owelle of Ogwashi-Uku Villa, 100 Azagba Road, Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State, the funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. on January 26, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State. Interment follows immediately after the funeral mass.

In a statement issued by the presidential spokesman, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, President Bola Tinubu had stated that “Chief Uwechue was an outstanding lawyer,” adding that “He was also a leader through and through. He will be sorely missed for his deep insights and legal acumen, in addition to the incredible contributions he made to his community, state, Nigeria and beyond. May God Almighty grant him rest and his family the strength to bear this painful loss.”

On his part, foremost constitutional lawyer, Prof. Ben Nwabueze (SAN, NNOM) had noted that “Something that marked George out – I hope I can say this without causing offence to his classmates – he was simply the best! It is not surprising to me that he distinguished himself in the legal profession.”

Chief Uwechue died on 29th October, 2023. He was aged 85 years. He attended the Middle Temple, Inns of Court School of Law, London between 1961 and 1965 and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1966 after attending the Nigerian Law School.

Uwechue had been a lawyer for nearly 60 years. Elevated to the coveted rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 1993, he was a member of the Inner Bar for 30 unbroken years. He was appointed a Member of the Body of Benchers in 1990, and had been a Life Bencher since 1998.

The senior lawyer was elected Chairman of the Body of Benchers in 2010 and elected a member of the Elders Committee of the Body of Benchers in 2011. It is believed that the “Elders Committee” was his brainchild, being a vehicle for resolving thorny issues affecting leading members of the legal profession.

Aside from leading the legal profession as Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Uwechue also had the uncommon distinction of leading Nigeria’s House of Representatives, having been elected as Speaker (Pro Tempore) on February 23, 1983.